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This code of rules is written
to govern the playing of baseball games by professional teams
of the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, the National
League of Professional Baseball Clubs, and the leagues which
are members of the National Association of Professional Baseball
Leagues.
We recognize that many amateur
and non professional organizations play their games under professional
rules, and we are happy to make our rules available as widely
as possible. It is well to remember that specifications as to
fields, equipment, etc., may be modified to meet the needs of
each group.
Money fines, long term suspensions
and similar penalties imposed by this code are not practicable
for amateur groups, but officers and umpires of such organizations
should insist on strict observance of all the rules governing
the playing of the game.
Baseball not only has maintained
its position as the National Game of the United States, but also
has become an International Game being played in seventy seven
countries. Its popularity will grow only as long as its players,
managers, coaches, umpires and administrative officers respect
the discipline of its code of rules.
THE OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES COMMITTEE
William A. Murray, Chairman
Leonard S. Coleman Gene A. Budig Joseph J. Buzas
John McHale, Sr. Sandy Alderson Bob Beban
Bill Giles Dan Duquette George Sisler, Jr.
AMATEUR BASEBALL ADVISORY MEMBERS
Raoul Dedeaux Ronald Tellefsen
IMPORTANT NOTE
The Official Playing Rules Committee at its December 1977 meeting,
voted to incorporate the Notes Case Book Comments section directly
into the Official Playing Rules at the appropriate places. Basically,
the Case Book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and
in essence have the same effect as rules when applied to particular
sections for which they are intended.
This arrangement is designed to give quicker access to any written
language pertaining to an Official Rule and does not require
a reader to refer to different sections of the Official Playing
Rules book in considering the application of a particular rule.
Case Book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language.
RECODIFIED, AMENDED AND ADOPTED BY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL OFFICIAL
PLAYING RULES COMMITTEE AT NEW YORK CITY, DECEMBER 21, 1949;
AMENDED AT NEW YORK CITY, FEBRUARY 5, 1951; TAMPA, FLA., MARCH
14, 1951; CHICAGO, ILL., MARCH 3, 1952; NEW YORK CITY, NOVEMBER
4, 1953; NEW YORK CITY, DECEMBER 8, 1954; CHICAGO, ILL., NOVEMBER
20, 1956; TAMPA, FLA., MARCH 30 31, 1961; TAMPA, FLA., NOVEMBER
26, 1961; NEW YORK CITY, JANUARY 26, 1963; SAN DIEGO, CALIF.,
DECEMBER 2, 1963; HOUSTON, TEX., DECEMBER 1, 1964; COLUMBUS,
O., NOVEMBER 28, 1966; PITTSBURGH, PA., DECEMBER 1, 1966; MEXICO
CITY, MEXICO, NOVEMBER 27, 1967; SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., DECEMBER
3, 1968; NEW YORK CITY, JANUARY 31, 1969; FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.,
DECEMBER 1, 1969; LOS ANGELES, CALIF., NOVEMBER 30, 1970; PHOENIX,
ARIZ., NOVEMBER 29, 1971; ST. PETERSBURG, FLA., MARCH 23, 1972;
HONOLULU, HAWAII, NOVEMBER 27, 1972; HOUSTON, TEX., DECEMBER
3 AND 7, 1973; NEW ORLEANS, LA., DECEMBER 8, 1975; HOLLYWOOD,
FLA., DECEMBER 8, 1975; LOS ANGELES, CALIF., DECEMBER 6, 1976;
HONOLULU, HAWAII, DECEMBER 5, 1977; ORLANDO, FLA., DECEMBER 4,
1978; TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, DECEMBER 3, 1979; DALLAS, TEX.,
DECEMBER 8, 1980; HOLLYWOOD, FLA., DECEMBER 7, 1981; HONOLULU,
HAWAII, DECEMBER 5, 1982; NASHVILLE, TN., DECEMBER 5, 1983; NEW
YORK, N.Y., JANUARY 8, 1985; NEW YORK, N.Y., MARCH 27, 1986;
HOLLYWOOD, FLA., DECEMBER 9, 1986; NEW YORK CITY, NOVEMBER 23,
1987; NEW YORK CITY, JANUARY 26, 1989; CHICAGO, ILL., DECEMBER
3, 1990; MIAMI, FLA., DECEMBER 5, 1991; LOUISVILLE, KY., DECEMBER
4, 1992; Atlanta, Ga. December 12, 1993; New York City, January
30, 1996.
©1999 Major League Baseball Enterprises, Inc. All rights
reserved.
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